Bending machine



Jan. 14, 1930'. A. T. YATES I 1,743,418

BENDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 3, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet l //V VE/Y TOR A Tram/1:731

Jan. 14, 1930. A. T. YATES 1,743,418

SENDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1927 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y/VVf/VTOR v mzfw ATTORI-{EYS V A. TES NDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 A TTQR/VEK;

Patented Jan. 14, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT; OFFICE ARTHUR T. YATES, F BUFFALO, NEH/V YORK, ASSIGNOR TO BUFFALO FORGE COMPANY, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK BENDING MACHINE Application filed October 3, 1927. Serial No. 223,599.

This invention relates to machines for bending bars, rods, tubes or the like by passing the same lengthwise between rolls.

The objects of this invention are to provide an attachment whereby a bending machine can be adapted to make bends ofshorter radii than those which the machine without the attachment is capable of making, and thus considerably increase the scope of work which the machine is capable of doing; also to provide an attachment of this kind in which a small idler roll is mounted on the revolving shaft of the upper roll usually provided on the machine; also to provide means for mounting the bending roll outwardly beyond the ends of the driving shafts of the bending machine so that these shafts will not interfere with the bending of the Work about a small radius; also to improve the construction of machines of this kind in other respects hereinafter specified.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a bending machine having my attachment secured thereto. 7

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, top plan view thereof on an enlarged scale. 1

F'g. 3 is a fragmentary,side elevation of the end portion of the machine.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional elevation thereof, on Erick-4, Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, end elevation thereof, showing the machine bending a piece of work on a small radius.

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation thereof on line 6-6, Fig. 5, with the idler roll raised.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the several parts comprising the lower roll and its mounting on the machine, the several parts being shown detached from each other.

The bending machine with which my attachment is adapted to cooperate may be of any suitable or desired construction, and in the accompanying drawings only portions of a bending machine of this kind are shown. 10 represents the frame of this machine on which two driven shafts l1 and 12 are mounted which usually support a pair of bending rolls (not shown). The driven shaft 14 of the third bendingroll is mounted on a pivoted member 15 which is journalled at 16 on the frame of the machine in such a manner that the third roll may be adjusted toward and from the space between the two lower bending rolls. The adjustment of thepivoted member 15 in the machine shown is efi'ected by means of a threaded nut 18 cooperating with a screw threaded bolt or member 19, the lower end of which is fixed in the frame 10 of the machine. 20 represents the ratchet lever for turning the nut 18, and 21 represents a hand wheel which may be secured to or formed integral with the nut and which can be used for turning this nut. 17 represents a lever pivoted on a fixed part of the machine and having, a counterweight 23 arranged on the outer portion thereof, the inner end of the lever acting on the bearing of the third roll shaft 14 in any suitable manner (not shown) to counterbalance the weight of the third roll and its shaft. X represents the work to be bent which is passed between the rolls in either direction depending upon the direction of rotation of the rolls, which is controlled by means of a clutch lever 22 and suitable driving mechanism, not shown. 24 represents guide rollers, rotatable about inclined axes for guiding the work passing to and from the bending rolls. Each of the three driveshafts 11, 12 and 14 isprovided in its end with a central aperture 25, adapted to receive a threaded stud 26 by means of which the bending rolls may be se cured to the ends of the driving shafts, and

these shafts are also provided with keyways 27 for holding the usual bending rolls against turning relatively to the shafts. All of these parts thus far referred to'have heretofore been used'in connection with bending machines and of themselves constitute no part of this invention.

lVith the bending machine as described, 1

as ordinarily used, the bending is done about the ends of the shafts 11, 12 and 14. In ac cordance with my invention, when my improved attachment is appliedto the bending machine, the bending is done beyond the ends of the shafts, and consequently the work can be bent on radii smaller than would be possible if the bending were to be effected about from turning relatively to the adapter. lower roll. and its sleeve or adapter is held against endwise displacement on its shaft by the ends of the shafts. The bending rolls of my attachment used in connection with the two lower shafts 11 and 12 are arranged substantially concentric with the axes :of these shafts, while the upper bending roll is positioned ec'centrically with reference to the upper shaft14.

Any suitable means may be employed for attaching the lower bending rolls to the shafts 11" and 12 concentric with the axes thereof and beyond the ends of these shafts. In the particular construction shown this is effected by providing an adapter or sleeve for each of the two shafts 11 and 12, each adapter inan integral cylindrical extension 32 extending beyond the end of the shaft,

the outer cylindrical face of 'which is also provided with akeyway 33. The cylindrical extension 32 is formed to receive a bending roll 35 having a peripheral portion 36 which may be of any suitable shape depending upon the shape of the work to be bent, a half round groove being provided in the bending roll shown to bend work of circular cross section, such, for example, as a tube or rod. The inner face of this rollis adapted to fit over the periphery of the, extension 32 of the adapter or sleeve and a keyway 37 is provided on this inner face which is adapted to be placed in registration with the keyway 33 on the adapter and a suitable key 39 may be insorted into the two keyways to hold the roll Each 1 means ofa nut 40 having an internally threaded portion'41 adapted to engage with the stud 2 6, and a flange 43 which cngagesthe bending roll and holds the same on the cylindrical portion 32 of the adapte'ribetween the flange V '43 of the nut and a flange 44 on the adapter.

The outer end of the nut is provided with any suitable means for turningthe. same, such, forexample, as a cylindrical flange 45 .provided with apertures 46 through which a bar or rod may be inserted for turning the nut. By means of this construction the two lower bending rolls may be rigidly secured on the lower shafts 11 and 12in such a manner asto extend beyondthe ends of these shafts. It is obvious thatother means for securing these rolls on the. shafts may be employed, if dee sired. V r

50 represents the upper bending roll which is provided with a face '51 corresponding to the peripheral faces of the lower two rolls.

This upper bending roll is preferably journalled' to rotate freely about a stud or projection 52 of a bracket 53, the bearing roll being held on the stud or projection by means of a disk '54, the edge portions of which en'- gage the bending roll and which is secured to the bearing projection 52 by means of a set screw 55 or other means.

of the frame in such a manner as to move up and down when the frame 15 is swung about a bearing sleeve 58 is preferably secured to the end of the drive shaft 14 to rotate with the drive shaft. The bracket 53 may be held against endwise displacementon the shaft 14' in any suitable manner, for example, by means of a set screw 60 which extends through an are shaped slot 61 in a peripheral portion of the bracket 53 and the end of which screw.

is secured in a threaded hole in the adjustable member 15 of the bending machine.

In order to hold the bracket and the bending roll 50 thereon in correct relation to the other bending rolls, a sliding connection is:

preferably provided between the bracket and the frame member 10, which connection permits vertical adjustment of the bracket 53 and the upper bending roll 50 mounted thereon. This sliding connection in the particular construction shown includes an undercut slot 62 formed in the frame member 10 and in which the head of a bolt 65 may move vertically. This bolt also passes through a hole in the lower portionof a downwardly extending arm 66 of the bracket 53,- the bolt being held in place by a nut 67 or other suitable means.

As a result of the construction described, V

the bracket 53 carrying the upper bending roll is adjustable up and down when the pivoted adjusting member 15 is moved up and down about its pivot. Downward pressure is exerted upon the bracket through the upper driving shaft 14 which bears thecylindrical bearing recess formed in the bracket 53 and consequently transmits no rotary motion to this bracket. Because of the location of the upper bending roll .50 belowthe axis of the shaft 14, it is possible to make this roll'of smaller diameter than would be possibleif the 'roll were mounted on the shaft 14, and consequently it is also possible to move this bending roll downwardly to a greater extent into the space between thetwo lower bending rolls, and this results in rendering the machine capable of bending the work about much smaller radii than wouldbe possible 1 without this attachment. Consequently by means of my attachment it is possible to The bracket 53 is suitably mounted 011 the pivoted member 15 tween the driven shaft 14 and the bracket 53,

utilize the bending machine for a greater variety of work. WVhen it is desired to use the machine for heavier work, the parts of my improved attachment can be readily removed from the machine and the usual bending rolls substituted therefor.

By arranging the bending rolls of my attachment beyond the ends of the roll shafts, in addition to making it possible to bend work about shorter radii than would be possible without the attachment, another advantage results, namely that in bending tubes or rods into coils, the coils can be gradually reduced in diameter by passing the same alternately in opposite directions between the rolls, by reversing the direction of rotation of the rolls. By arranging the bending rolls beynod the roll shafts, the bending rolls are far enough from the frame of the machine to permit the coils to be passed into the space between the upper and the two lower roll shafts.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination with a bending inachine having three substantially parallel shafts, one of which is adjustable toward and from the space between the other two shafts, of a bracket mounted on said adjustable shaft and held against rotating about the axis of said adjustable shaft and having a bending roll mounted thereon, and bending rolls on said other two shafts adapted to be driven and to cooperate with said first mentioned bending roll.

2. The combination with a bending machine having three substantially parallel shafts, one of which is adjustable toward and from the space between the other two shafts, of a bracket mounted on said machine which is movable with said adjustable shaft toward and from said space between said other two shafts, a bending roll mounted on said bracket, and bending rolls on said other two shafts which are driven for cooperation with said first mentioned bending roll.

3. The combination with a bending machine having three substantially parallel shafts, one of which is adjustable toward and from the space between the other two shafts, of a bracket mounted on said machine which is movable with said adjustable shaft toward and from said space between said other two shafts, a bending roll mounted on said bracket and extending beyond the end of said shaft, and bending rolls mounted on said other two shafts and extending beyond the ends thereof and driven for cooperation with said first mentioned bending roll.

4. A11 attachment for a three roll bending machine having three substantially parallel roll shafts, and. a member on which one of said shafts is mounted and which is adjustable toward and from the space between said other two shafts, said attachment including a bracket mounted on said adjustable memshaft journalled ber, a bending roll journalled on said bracket and adapted to cooperate with driven rolls mounted on said other shaft.

'5. The combinationof a bending machine having a stationary frame, a pair of driven shafts journalled on said frame, a member movably mounted on said frame, and a shaft journalled in said member and adjustable toward and from the space between said other two shafts, a. bracket mounted on said movable member and having a portion which has a sliding connection with said stationary frame, a bending roll mounted on said bracket, and a pair ofrolls mounted on said two shafts with which said first mentioned,

bending roll is adapted to cooperate, said sliding connection between said bracket and said stationary frame member serving to guide said first mentioned bending roll into correct relation to the space between said other two bending rolls.

6. Anattachnient for a three roll bending machine having a pair of roll shafts journalled in a fixed frame and a third roll shaft journalled on a member a'djustably mounted on said frame, said attachment including a bracket mounted on said adjustable member and a roll mounted on said bracket and pivoted beyond the end of said third roll shaft, sleeves mounted on said pair of roll shafts, and rolls mounted on said sleeves be yond the ends of said shafts and adapted to cooperate with said roll on said bracket.

7. An attachment for a three roll bending machine having a pair of roll shafts j ournalled in a fixed frame and a third roll on a member adjustably mounted on said frame, said attachment including a bracket mounted on said adjustable member and a roll mounted on said bracket and pivoted beyond the end of said third roll shaft, sleeves mounted on said pair of roll shafts and extending beyond said shafts, rolls adapted to be mounted on said sleeves beyond said shafts, and a clamping device for engaging each of said pair of roll shafts and securing said rolls and said sleeves on said shafts.

8. An attachment for a three roll bending machine having a pair of roll shafts journalled in a fixed frame and a third roll shaft journalled on a member adjustably' mounted on said frame, said attachmentincluding a bracket having a bearing recess formed therein inwhich the end of said third roll shaft may rotate, rolls mounted on said pair of roll shafts, a'roll mounted on said bracket and adapted tocooperate with said first mentioned rolls, and a slidable connec tion between said bracket and said fixed frame to guide said roll on said bracket into correct relation to the first mentioned rolls.

9. An attachment for a three roll bending machine having a pair of roll shafts journalled in a fixed frame and a third roll shaft j ournalled on a member adjustably mounted on said frame, said attachment including a bracket having a bearing recess formed therein in which the end of said third roll shaft may rotate, rolls mounted on said pair of roll shafts, a roll mounted on said bracket and adapted to cooperate with said first mentioned rolls, a slidable connection between said bracket and said fixed frame to guide said roll on said bracket into correct relation to said first mentioned rolls, and a connection between said bracket and said adjustable member for holding said bracket on said third shaft and for permitting movement of said bracket relatively to said adjustable member.

An attachment for a three roll bending machine having a pair of roll shafts journall'ed in a fixed frame and a member ad- 'justably mounted on said frame and on which a third roll shaft is journalled, said attachwhich said shaft maiy ment including a' bracket having a bearing recess therein into which the end of said third roll shaft is adapted to enter and in revolve, releasable means for holding sai bracket against endwise movement, relatively to said third roll shaft, a sliding connection between said bracket and said fixed frame, a roll journalled on said bracket, and a pair of rolls mounted on said other two roll shafts, said sliding connection guiding said roll on said bracket into and out of operative relation to said other two rolls.

11. An attachment for a three roll bending machine having a pair of roll shafts journalled in a fixed frame and a member adjustably mounted on said frame and on which a third roll shaft is journalled, said attach-' ment including a bracket having a bearing recess therein into which the end of said third roll shaft is adapted to enter and in which i said shaft mag revolve, releasable means for holding said racket against endwise movement relatively to said third roll shaft, a slidin connection between said bracket and said xed frame, a roll journalled on said bracket and arranged beyond the end of said third shaft, and a roll mounted on eachof said pair of roll shafts and arranged beyond the ends thereof, said slidable connections guiding said roll on said bracket into correct relation to said rolls on said other two shafts for effecting bending of the material beyond the ends of said roll shafts.

ARTHUR T. YATES. 

